Procedure for making transitable paved surfaces and paved surface thus obtainable

ABSTRACT

Process for making transitable paved surfaces includes the following phases: supplying at least a supporting frame ( 2 ), supplying at least a ceramic product ( 11 ) having at least a visible face ( 11   a ) and at least an installation face ( 11   b ), fitting of the ceramic product ( 11 ) to the frame ( 2 ) with the visible face ( 11   a ) turned outwards and the installation face ( 11   b ) turned towards the frame itself, the latter having retention elements ( 6 ) of the ceramic product and being shaped so as to make accessible at least a part of the installation face ( 11   b ), spreading an adhesive material ( 12 ) on an installation surface (P), positioning the frame ( 2 ) on the adhesive material ( 12 ) so that the adhesive material itself reaches the installation face ( 11   b ), the adhesive material ( 12 ) being suitable for reciprocally solidarizing the ceramic product ( 11 ) to the frame ( 2 ) and the latter to the installation surface (P).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a procedure for making transitable paved surfaces and paved surface thus obtainable.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally speaking, transitable paved surfaces such as pedestrian crossings, speed bumps, cycling tracks and in general all transit areas or areas which are subject to heavy-duty transit are made of asphalt.

More in particular, after creating the foundation of the asphalt paved surface, this, or at least a part of it, is then coloured in order to distinguish it from the surrounding areas.

This procedure is in fact generally performed for making pedestrian crossings or speed bumps, or in those situations wherein the need arises to clearly identify a certain transitable or transit area.

This method for making paved surfaces does however have drawbacks.

In fact, the paved surfaces made this way, tend to quickly lose their colour as a result of being transited on.

It therefore follows that the paved surfaces made using this method require repainting at periodical intervals in order to restore the desired colour.

The repainting of road, pedestrian or similar surfaces is therefore costly due to periodical maintenance jobs as well as inconvenient for users due to the temporary interruption of traffic in the area involved.

As an alternative to making asphalt paved surfaces, ceramic tiles are generally used.

The ceramic tiles are therefore installed according to a desired design on the road surface and secured to the latter by means of cement, concrete or the like.

This known method for making transitable paved surfaces, though it permits maintaining the colour of the asphalt for much longer, also has its drawbacks.

The paved surfaces made this way in fact are not suitable for use in areas subject to heavy traffic.

In fact, the ceramic tiles thus installed on the road surface have a limited load resistance and therefore tend to break when subjected to heavy load conditions, such as the transit of cars, trucks, etc . . .

This drawback restricts their applicability only to limited and reduced types of areas. In fact, if the paved surfaces in ceramic material were also to be used in areas subject to motor-vehicle traffic, the broken tiles would have to be periodically replaced, with consequent high expenditure of economic resources and considerable inconvenience for the users.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a procedure for making transitable paved surfaces which allows to overcome the drawbacks of the background art.

In particular, the procedure according to the invention intends making a paved surface with a considerably longer life compared to paved surfaces of known type, and which therefore requires a small number of maintenance jobs, and which at the same time has a broad field of application.

One object of the present invention is therefore to allow the transit of any type of motor vehicle and other vehicles on the paved surface thus obtained, without this causing any breakage or damage whatsoever, and at the same time avoid the maintenance jobs required to restore the colour.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a procedure that is easy and fast to implement.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a procedure which allows achieving any colour and geometric/artistic combination.

Another object of the present invention is to make a paved surface with low environmental impact and which, at the same time, is long lasting.

Not the last object of the present invention is to provide a procedure that allows obtaining a paved surface which is resistant to heat fluctuations.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present procedure for making transitable paved surfaces, characterised by the fact that it comprises the following phases of:

-   -   supply of at least a supporting frame;     -   supply of at least a ceramic product having at least a visible         face and at least an installation face;     -   fitting of said ceramic product to said frame with said visible         face turned outwards and said installation face turned towards         the frame itself, the latter having retention means of said         ceramic product and being shaped so as to make accessible at         least a part of said installation face;     -   spreading of an adhesive material on an installation surface;     -   positioning of said frame on said adhesive material so that the         adhesive material itself reaches said installation face, said         adhesive material being suitable for reciprocally solidarizing         said ceramic product to said frame and the latter to said         installation surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not sole, embodiment of a procedure for making transitable paved surfaces, in particular for making pedestrian crossings and street furniture in general, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a paved surface according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the fitting phase of a ceramic product to the relative supporting frame;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the positioning phase of the supporting frame, with the ceramic product fitted, on an adhesive material;

FIG. 4 is a section of the paved surface of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of a supporting frame;

FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of a ceramic product fitted to the supporting frame of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a section view along the track plane VII-VII of FIG. 6.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to such figures, globally indicated by reference number 1 is a transitable paved surface according to the invention.

The paved surface 1 comprises a plurality of supporting frames 2 arranged one alongside the other on an installation surface P.

Preferably, the frames 2 are interlinked by means of relative connection means not shown in the illustrations.

The frames 2 are generally arranged according to a predefined pattern.

The paved surface 1 also comprises a plurality of substantially plate-shaped ceramic products 11, having a relative visible face 11 a and a relative installation face 11 b, each of which is fitted to a relative frame 2 with the visible face 11 a turned outwards and with the installation face 11 b turned towards the frame itself.

The installation face 11 b is therefore turned towards the installation surface P.

Each frame 2 comprises retention means 6 for retaining the relative ceramic product 11.

The paved surface 1 also comprises, means of solidarization 12 of the ceramic products 11 to the relative frames 2 and of the latter to the installation surface P.

Advantageously, the means of solidarization 12 are of the adhesive material type such as, e.g., cement, mortar and the like.

Suitably, the frames 2 are shaped so as to make accessible to the adhesive material 12 at least an area of the installation face 11 b of the relative ceramic products 11.

More in detail, each frame 2 has one or more openings 13 accessing the installation face 11 b of the relative ceramic product 11 through which the means of solidarization 12 are inserted.

Preferably, at least one of the ceramic products 11 comprises at least an element that can be lit up 14, e.g., of the type of a LED or the like, facing the relative visible face 11 a.

Described below in greater detail is the conformation of the frames 2 and their interaction with the relative ceramic products 11.

Suitably, the frame 2 defines at least a supporting surface 3 of the ceramic product 11.

More in particular, the frame 2 comprises at least a base element 4,5 meant to be positioned on the adhesive material 12 and defining the supporting surface 3.

Preferably, the base element 4,5 comprises a perimeter element 4 which defines a closed profile and which has a lower face 4 a and an upper face 4 b opposite one another and meant, during use, to be turned towards the installation surface P and outwards respectively.

In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the closed profile defined by the perimeter element 4 has a substantially rectangular shape, meaning it has an elongated shape and has four identical sides, two by two, and arranged facing one another.

More in detail, the perimeter element 4 is substantially plate-shaped, i.e., its length and its width are prevalent, in terms of extension, compared to its thickness, the latter defining the lower face 4 a and the upper face 4 b.

The upper face 4 b of the perimeter element 4 in point of fact defines the supporting surface 3.

Advantageously, the base element 4,5 also comprises stiffening means 5 for stiffening the perimeter element 4.

More in particular, the stiffening means 5 comprise one or more stiffening elements 5 a,5 b,5 c that cross the area delimited by the perimeter element 4 and connect different areas of the perimeter element itself each substantially facing the other.

In the preferred embodiments shown in the illustrations, the stiffening elements 5 a,5 b,5 c are distanced from one another and delimit at least partially the openings 13. The openings 13 are therefore substantially facing the installation face 11 b of the relative ceramic product 11.

In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the stiffening elements 5 a,5 b,5 c are composed of a pair of circular elements 5 a arranged in correspondence to the median area of the closed profile defined by the perimeter element 4, of a plurality of longitudinal elements 5 b which have an extremity associated with the perimeter element 4 and the opposite extremity associated with one of the circular elements 5 b, and of a connection element 5 c placed between the two circular elements 5 a.

Different embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the stiffening elements are composed of one or more cross elements arranged crossways to the longitudinal extension of the closed profile defined by the perimeter element 4 so as to link together the longer sides of the profile itself.

As already said above, each frame 2 comprises retention means 6 for retaining the relative ceramic product 11.

Advantageously, the retention means 6 are elastically yielding to allow the slotting in of the covering element itself.

More in particular, the retention means 6 comprise one or more retention elements which define respective locator stops 6 a suitable for preventing the movement of the relative ceramic product 11 arranged resting on the supporting surface 3 along a first direction, identified in the illustrations by the arrow 7. Suitably, the ceramic product 11 also has one or more protrusions 15 defined in correspondence to its thickness and meant to engage with the respective stops 6 a. Alternatively, it is the visible face 11 a that engages with the stops 6 a.

The locator stops 6 a are therefore suitable for preventing the lifting of the ceramic product 11 off the frame 2 in a substantially opposite direction to that of the fitting of the covering element itself.

Suitably, the retention elements 6 are associated integral with the base element 4,5. Preferably, the retention elements 6 and the base element 4,5 are made in a single piece.

More in particular, the retention elements 6 are associated with the perimeter element 4 in correspondence to two of its opposite sides, corresponding to the longer sides in the embodiment shown in the illustrations, in such a way as to protrude with respect to its upper face 4 b, i.e., so that the locator stops 6 a are arranged at a different height with respect to the supporting surface 3.

Furthermore, the areas of the perimeter element 4 to which are associated the retention elements 6 are protruding outwards with respect to the remaining areas of the perimeter element itself.

The closed profile defined by the perimeter element 4 therefore has, at least in correspondence to the sides on which are arranged the retention elements 6, a plurality of protrusions, defined by the areas having the retention elements 6, and a plurality of recesses defined by the areas without the retention elements 6.

Advantageously, each retention element 6 defines at least a respective containment surface 6 b suitable for preventing the movement of the ceramic product 11 arranged resting on the supporting surface 3 along at least a second direction indicated in the illustrations by the arrows 8.

In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the first and the second direction, 7 and 8 respectively, are substantially at right angles the one to the other just like the stop 6 a and the containment surface 6 b defined by each retention element 6.

Advantageously, the supporting surface 3, the locator stops 6 a and the containment surfaces 6 b substantially define a housing seat for the covering element P.

Preferably, the retention elements 6 are substantially hook-shaped.

More in detail, each of the retention elements 6 has a substantially curvilinear outer surface 6 c, suitable for facilitating the deformation of the relative retention element 6 during the fitting of the ceramic product 11, and at least a substantially flat inner surface, turned towards the support surface 3 and defining the relative locator stop 6 a.

Alternative embodiments of the retention elements 6, different to those described and represented, cannot however be ruled out.

In a particular embodiment of the type of that represented in the FIGS. 6 and 7, the frame 2 also comprises locking means suitable for preventing the movement of the ceramic product 11 arranged resting on the supporting surface 3 along a third direction identified in the illustrations by the double arrow 9.

More in detail, the locking means comprise at least a locking element 10 made in a single piece with the perimeter element 4 and raised with respect to its upper face 4 b, i.e., protruding with respect to the supporting surface 3.

Advantageously, the third direction 9 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second direction 8 and to the first direction 7, and the locking element 10 is arranged in correspondence to at least one of the sides of the closed profile defined by the perimeter element 4 on which the retention elements 6 are not arranged, i.e., in correspondence to one or more of its short sides. Suitably, the locking means can comprise one or more locking elements 10 arranged along just one of the short sides of the perimeter element 4, in such a way as to stop the sliding of the covering element P along just one of the directions defined by the double arrow 9, or arranged on both the short sides of the perimeter element 4 opposite one another, so as to stop the sliding of the covering element P with respect to the frame 2 along both the directions defined by the double arrow 9.

In this case as well, the areas of the perimeter element 4 to which are associated the locking elements 10 are protruding outwards with respect to the remaining areas of the perimeter element itself.

In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the perimeter element 4 has a plurality of protrusions and recesses, alternated the one to the other, defined along all its sides.

As already said before, in an embodiment not shown in the illustrations, the frames 2 also comprise removable connection means for connecting with other supporting frames 2. More in particular, such connection means comprise one or more connection elements associated with the perimeter element 4, preferably made in a single piece with this, and turned towards the outside of the closed profile defined by the perimeter element itself. In point of fact, the connection elements define a housing seat meant to receive the perimeter element 4 of another supporting frame 2.

Each supporting frame 2 is advantageously made of plastic material by moulding, e.g., of a plastic material comprising nylon charged with glass fibre. Preferably, the material used to make the frame 2 comprises, besides nylon charged with glass fibre, also a percentage of variable recycled material, e.g., between 30% and 50%.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out that foresee the use of different materials, such as metal materials, such in any case to convey the elastic deformability to the retention elements 6 needed for fitting the ceramic product 11.

The procedure is described below for the realization of a transitable paved surface according to the invention.

The procedure according to the invention first of all envisages the supply of at least a supporting frame 2 and of at least a substantially plate-shaped ceramic product 11 with a visible face 11 a and an installation face 11 b.

Preferably, to make a paved surface 1, a plurality of frames 2 and of ceramic products 11 are supplied.

This procedure then envisages a fitting phase of each ceramic product 11 to a relative frame 2 with the visible face 11 a turned towards the outside and the installation face 11 b turned towards the frame itself. The frames 2 are shaped so as to make accessible at least an area of the installation face 11 b of the relative ceramic product 11. The frames 2 therefore leave uncovered at least an area of the installation face 11 b of the relative ceramic product 11.

According to the invention, the procedure in question also envisages a phase of spreading of an adhesive material 12 on an installation surface P, e.g., the road surface, and the positioning of each frame 2 on the adhesive material 12 in such a way that the latter also reaches the installation face 11 b of the relative ceramic product 11 so as to solidarize the ceramic product itself to the relative frame 2 and both to the installation surface P.

Advantageously, as described above, each frame 2 has one or more openings 13 for allowing the adhesive material 12 to access the installation face 11 b. In the embodiments shown in the illustrations, the openings 13 face the installation face 11 b.

The fitting phase of the ceramic products 11 to the relative frames 2 can be performed before or after the positioning of the frames themselves on the adhesive material 12.

Preferably, this fitting phase is performed before positioning the frames 2 on the adhesive material 12, in such a way as to facilitate the positioning and the gripping of the adhesive material itself on the installation face 11 b of the relative ceramic product 11.

More in detail, the fitting phase of each ceramic product 11 is performed by arranging it in correspondence to the relative frame 2 and applying onto it a pressure such as to cause the yielding of the retention elements 6.

In the embodiment of the frame 2 shown in the figures from 5 to 7 and described above, the retention elements 6 tend to widen towards the outside of the closed profile, defined by the perimeter element 4 and the ceramic product 11 slides on their outer surface 6 c moving nearer to the supporting surface 3.

When the protrusions 15 defined on the thickness of the ceramic product 11 arrive in correspondence to the locator stops 6 a, the covering element itself slots into the housing seat defined by the frame 2 and the retention elements 6 return to their original idle configuration.

The ceramic product 11 thus fitted rests with its installation face 11 b on the supporting surface 3 and is blocked with respect to the frame 2 in the first, in the second and in the third direction 7, 8 and 9 by the stops 6 a, by the retention surfaces 6 b and by the locking elements 10, respectively.

Because, as mentioned above, in the realization of a paved surface 1, a plurality of frames 2 and of ceramic products 11 are suitably used, the positioning phase of the frames 2, and therefore also of the relative ceramic products 11, is generally performed according to a predefined design that can be of geometric or artistic type depending on the type of paved surface 1 to be made.

In the particular embodiment wherein the frames 2 have connection means, a reciprocal connection phase of the frames 2 is also performed.

Such connection phase is preferably performed before the positioning phase of the frames 2 on the adhesive material 12.

Advantageously, the procedure according to the invention also comprises an application phase of an anti-slip paint on the visible face 11 a of the ceramic products 11. The application of such anti-slip paint can be made before or after the positioning of the frames 2 on the adhesive material 12.

Preferably, the procedure in question also comprises an application phase of at least an element that can be lit up 14 on the visible face 11 a of at least a ceramic product 11.

Such application phase of an element that can be lit up 14 can be performed before applying the relative ceramic product 11 to the corresponding frame 2 or following the solidification of the adhesive material 12 and therefore with the ceramic product 11 and the relative frame 2 already in position.

It has in fact been ascertained how the described invention achieves the proposed objects and in particular the fact is underlined that the procedure according to the invention allows making a paved surface that does not require any maintenance and which, at the same time, also withstands heavy loads and adapts to any traffic condition.

In fact, the reciprocal solidarization of the ceramic product to the relative frame considerably increases mechanical resistance with respect to the individually considered ceramic product.

Furthermore, the fact that the frame yields allows the paved surface to also adapt itself to very high-stress load conditions and which would cause the breakage of the ceramic product if this were installed on its own.

Again, the paved surface obtained with the procedure forming the subject of the present invention can be made easily and quickly and allows considerably reducing the maintenance jobs aimed at recovering the original colour and/or replacing any broken products, considerably cutting total realization costs and reducing the inconvenience factors for users compared to known procedures. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. Process for making transitable paved surfaces, comprising the following phases of: supplying at least a supporting frame (2); supplying at least a ceramic product (11) having at least a visible face (11 a) and at least an installation face (11 b); fitting said ceramic product (11) to said frame (2) with said visible face (11 a) turned outwards and said installation face (11 b) turned towards the frame itself, the latter having retention means (6) of said ceramic product and being shaped so as to make accessible at least a part of said installation face (11 b); spreading an adhesive material (12) on an installation surface (P); positioning said frame (2) on said adhesive material (12) so that the adhesive material itself reaches said installation face (11 b), said adhesive material (12) being suitable for reciprocally solidarizing said ceramic product (11) to said frame (2) and the latter to said installation surface (P).
 16. The process according to claim 15, wherein the fitting of said ceramic product (11) to said frame (2) can be performed before or after the positioning of said frame (2) on said adhesive material (12).
 17. The process according to claim 15, further comprising applying an anti-slip paint on said visible face (11 a).
 18. The process according to claim 15, wherein said frame (2) has one or more openings (13) accessing said installation face (11 b), said adhesive material (12) being suitable for passing through said openings (13) to reach said installation face (11 b).
 19. The process according to claim 15, further comprising applying at least an element that can be lit up (14) on the visible face (11 a) of said ceramic product (11).
 20. The process according to claim 15, further comprising supplying a plurality of said frames (2) and wherein said fitting phase envisages the arrangement of said frames (2) according to a predefined pattern.
 21. The process according to claim 15, comprising supplying a plurality of said frames (2) and providing a reciprocal connection phase of said frames (2).
 22. The process according to claim 21, wherein said connection is performed before the positioning of said frames (2) on said adhesive material (12).
 23. Transitable paved surface (1), comprising: a plurality of supporting frames (2) arranged one alongside the other on an installation surface (P); a plurality of ceramic products (11), having a respective visible face (11 a) and a respective installation face (11 b), each of which is fitted to a relative supporting frame (2) with said visible face (11 a) turned outwards and with said installation face (11 b) turned towards the frame itself, said frames (2) comprising retention means (6) of the relative ceramic product (11); means of solidarization (12) of said ceramic products (11) to the relative supporting frames (2) and of the latter to said installation surface (P).
 24. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein said means of solidarization (12) are of the adhesive material type.
 25. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein said frames (2) comprise a plurality of openings (13) accessing the installation face (11 b) of the relative ceramic product (11) and by the fact that said means of solidarization (12) pass through said openings (13).
 26. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein said retention means (6) are elastically yielding to allow the snap of said ceramic products (11).
 27. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein said frames (2) are interlinked to each other.
 28. Paved surface according to claim 23, wherein at least one of said ceramic products (11) comprises at least an element that can be lit up (14) facing the relative visible face (11 a). 